If she can duplicate the success she enjoyed in the primary election on Tuesday, Jackie Lacey is in prime position to make history in November by becoming the first woman — and first African-American — to be elected Los Angeles County District Attorney.
In a fall contest that she predicted will “leave blood on the floor,” Lacey, who earned the most votes in the primary, will face fellow prosecutor Alan Jackson for the region’s top law enforcement post.
According to official election results released Wednesday, Lacey earned 31.9 percent of the vote, with Jackson trailing her at 23.6 percent. L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, whose million-dollar war chest and multiple endorsements had made him a favorite in the race, finished third with 22.3 percent.
Lacey — who was one of three Black contenders in a primary contest that also included veteran prosecutors Bobby Grace and Danette Myers — was among five county prosecutors running to replace retiring D.A. Steve Cooley. But she was the only one who had her boss’ endorsement.
“I’m surprised, grateful and overjoyed at the result,” said Lacey, in an interview Wednesday with The Wave. “It has validated my faith in voters, who looked at my qualifications as opposed to whom the media said was the frontrunner. My team worked really hard and didn’t take any vote for granted.”
She added: “I believe that the next D.A., who I believe will be myself, needs to be courageous and look at repositioning the justice system. There’s a better way to keep the community safe. We need to get people into rehab and mental health programs, and solve this problem forever, rather than have them going in and out of jail.”
Community reaction was mostly positive.
“I’m very excited that there could be new eyes and new energy in that office, and I’m happy to see women moving forward,” said Lita Herron, of the Youth Advocate Coalition. “She has shown capability in high places, and it’s especially encouraging for young women to see what can be achieved.”
Asked about her very close ties with Cooley, who has had tense relations with activists, Herron replied: “It’s a funny thing with politicians. Everyone has someone that they are tied to. The truth is there’s so much [patronage] nowadays with these political super PACs able to buy an elected seat.
“You can’t get anywhere without power behind you. I’m just happy and looking forward to what she might bring. I think we should give her a chance.”
Meanwhile, Najee Ali of Project Islamic HOPE, who has been critical of the district attorney’s office in the past, said he was shocked that Trutanich placed third.
“I’m hoping [Lacey] doesn’t become a copy of Steve Cooley,” he said. “I hope the future D.A. applies the 3 Strikes Rule fairly, only for violent and serious crimes, and there needs to be more rehab programs for youths. I wanted to see who made it to a runoff before endorsing anyone, but I’m open to meeting with her.”
An L.A. native and USC Law graduate, Lacey has worked in the D.A.’s office since 1986.
She has prosecuted thousands of crimes and tried about 60 felony cases to jury verdicts — including 11 homicides and the county’s first trial of a race-motivated hate crime, according to her campaign.
Lacey also said she has overseen crime-fighting initiatives focused on preventing animal cruelty, prosecuting graffiti and assigning gun cases to jurisdictions likely to obtain maximum criminal penalties.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Deputy D.A. Jackie Lacey, receiving campaign plaudits Tuesday night, said she was "overjoyed" with her primary win. gary McCarthy/Los Angeles Wave
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